Reviews: (by author)

Wayland, April Halprin. Girl Coming in for a Landing. New York: Random House, 2002. $14.95. ISBN 0-375-80158-8.

April Wayland's book portraying the emotional struggles of a teenage girl, Girl Coming in for a Landing, is a poetic account of a year in high school. This first person narrative is the story of life as seen through a girl growing up in Southern California.

The poems are simple but effective in capturing the many feelings every girl experiences while growing up. From getting her period to crushes on boys to bad days in science class to fights with siblings, there is a poem for every traumatic (or dramatic) occurrence in the life of a young woman. Girl Coming in for a Landing expresses beautifully the emotional roller coaster of teenhood.

Black and white art by Elaine Clayton accompanies the poetry. The art uses many mediums: from drawing to photos to collage. Clayton's art is the perfect companion to the drama of teenage life.

I was very charmed by the honesty and straightforwardness of this book of poetry. Any teenage girl could identify with this book. The after words encourage poetry writing as a way to sort through mixed emotions, something every teenager could use help with.

Reviewed by Alegra Bartzat

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